They’ve been labeled up-and-comers, the next generation and the future of the sport. But Rafael Jodar, Learner Tien, Joao Fonseca, Jakub Mensik and Martin Landaluce need not wait for the days ahead. Forget about potential and promise — the 20-and-under contingent is already making its mark on the ATP Tour.
Jodar and Tien lead the pack with the Top 10 in reach at the Cincinnati Open, where they are into the third round alongside 19-year-old Fonseca and 20-year-old Landaluce.
Fonseca, already a two-time ATP Tour titlist like Tien and Mensik, has enjoyed a front-row seat to the quintet’s emergence.
“It’s nice to see that the new generation is playing some good tennis,” Fonseca said. “All of them are nice guys. Guys that are humble and work hard. Learner, I played him in juniors. Landaluce, I played him in juniors. Mensik [I played] in my first year in juniors. Jodar, I know him from the Next Gen ATP Finals.”
“It’s guys that I’ve known for a long time and I know they can reach some good things and it’s good for tennis to have us pushing each other.”
Flashback to 2023 and Fonseca earned a memorable victory this time of year, claiming the junior title at the US Open. Following that triumph, Fonseca became the junior No. 1, the first Brazilian to hold that honor. The teen rallied past Tien in the final, at a time when both players were hardly known. Fonseca, World No. 26, will be seeded at the US Open for the first time this month.
“It’s always nice to remember,” said Fonseca when asked about that New York run. “I think my junior career was really special for me and really important for my development, as a player and as a person.
“That US Open was pretty nice, I played some good tennis and when I go back there, I try to imagine winning the [men’s title],” added last year’s Buenos Aires and Basel champion, celebrating his 20th birthday on August 21.
One common trend for Fonseca this season has been crashing into the sport’s biggest stars at ATP Masters 1000 level, the most recent example being in Montreal fourth round. The Rio de Janeiro native fell to eventual champion Ben Shelton.
Fonseca faced Jannik Sinner in Indian Wells (R4) and then-World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz in Miami (R2). The road didn’t get any easier in Monte-Carlo, where he was ousted by Alexander Zverev (QFs). In Madrid, a Jodar vs. Fonseca third-round clash — won by the Spaniard — was seemingly the first chapter of a promising rivalry.
“I like big matches,” said Fonseca, who stunned Novak Djokovic at Roland Garros, rallying from two sets to love down to oust the 24-time major champion en route to a career-best Slam quarter-final run.
“I like playing in big stadiums. I like the atmosphere. I was always a guy who likes the crowd. When a big guy is playing against me, the Brazilians will come and cheer a lot. It’s always really fun and I like challenges.”
